Facts for Kids

The Little Mermaid is a magical 1989 animated movie from Disney! 🧜

‍♀️ It tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid who dreams of living on land. The film takes place under the sea, in a colorful kingdom called Atlantica, filled with friendly fish and other sea creatures. Ariel yearns for adventure and explores the world beyond her underwater home. This charming tale was inspired by a story written by Hans Christian Andersen, first published in 1837. Children around the globe love its catchy songs and beautiful animation, making it a true classic! 🌊✨

In The Little Mermaid, Ariel, a curious mermaid, falls in love with a human prince named Eric after rescuing him from a shipwreck. 🔱

Despite her father's wishes, Ariel trades her voice to the sea witch Ursula for legs, hoping to win Eric's heart. As Ariel explores the human world, she faces challenges, including Ursula's trickery. With her friends, a fish named Flounder and a crab named Sebastian, Ariel discovers that true love is worth fighting for! 🦞

Will she manage to break Ursula's spell and win Eric’s heart? The adventure combines excitement, humor, and heartwarming moments!

Ariel is the adventurous mermaid who dreams of being human! 🌟

Eric is the charming prince Ariel loves. Sebastian, a crab, is Ariel’s loyal friend who tries to keep her out of trouble. 🦀

Flounder, her best fish buddy, is always by her side. And then there's Ursula, the sea witch! She is clever but very sneaky. 🐙

Don't forget King Triton, Ariel's protective father, who rules the underwater kingdom. These characters bring the story to life with their unique personalities and memorable moments! Each character has a special role in Ariel's exciting adventure!

When The Little Mermaid was released, critics loved it! 🌟

They praised its beautiful animation, unforgettable music, and engaging story. Many considered it one of Disney's best films, allowing the company to shine again after some not-so-great movies. 🎬

It received highly positive reviews from major publications like The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly! People of all ages enjoyed the adventure of Ariel and the enchanting underwater world. The film won several awards and became a favorite among families, proving its timeless appeal! 🌈

The Little Mermaid was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released in 1989! 🎉

The film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, who wanted to create a new animated classic that captured the magic of Disney. The animation took about three years to complete, involving over 800 artists! Did you know the movie's budget was around $40 million? 💰

It became a landmark in Disney’s history and started the Disney Renaissance, a period of successful animated films like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. The Little Mermaid transformed Disney's animation style forever!

Disney used traditional hand-drawn animation for The Little Mermaid, combining it with new techniques! ✨

Artists drew over 1 million frames to bring Ariel and her friends to life. They also used a method called "multiplane camera" to create a 3D effect, making underwater scenes look extra magical. 🖌

️ The vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds, like coral reefs and treasure chests, are stunning. Some scenes even incorporated live-action footage to improve the animated characters' movement! The animation techniques in this film helped set a new quality standard in animated movies, making it a visual treasure! 🎨

The soundtrack of The Little Mermaid is famous for its catchy songs! 🎶

Alan Menken composed the music, while Howard Ashman wrote the lyrics. One of the most popular songs, "Under the Sea," won an Academy Award for Best Original Song! 🏆

Other memorable songs include "Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl." The music helps tell Ariel's story, making her dreams and struggles come alive. The film's songs have been loved by fans since its release and are often performed in schools and theaters! 🎤

The music adds a sparkle of joy to the underwater adventure!

The Little Mermaid has exciting themes, such as following your dreams and discovering who you are! 🌊

Ariel's desire to be human symbolizes curiosity and adventure. The story also shows the importance of love and friendship—Ariel's bond with Flounder and Sebastian helps her through tough times! 💖

Another theme is sacrifice; Ariel trades her voice for legs, showing how love can lead to difficult choices. The sea can represent both freedom and danger, reminding us that exploring the unknown can come with risks. These themes give the story depth and meaning!

The Little Mermaid won several prestigious awards, celebrating its excellence! 🏆

It received two Oscars in 1990 for Best Original Song ("Under the Sea") and Best Original Score by Alan Menken. ⭐

Additionally, it was nominated for three other Academy Awards! The film also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy! 🎉

These awards show how much people loved the movie and recognize its place in animation history. The Little Mermaid's impact is still felt today, inspiring future artists and filmmakers!

The Little Mermaid was a huge success at the box office! 💰

It grossed over $211 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films of its time! Its success helped Disney make more animated movies that youngsters love. The film started the Disney Renaissance, leading to a new age of beloved stories. 📊

The popularity of The Little Mermaid also spurred merchandise, video games, and even a Broadway show! The amazing financial performance showed that kids and parents loved the charming underwater tale, ensuring Ariel's story would be shared for generations!

The Little Mermaid has influenced many aspects of popular culture since its release! 🧜

‍♀️ You can find Ariel's image in theme parks, toys, and clothing. The movie also inspired a Broadway musical, making its captivating tale even more magical! 🎭

Today, you can see Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder in Disney’s theme parks, where kids can meet their favorite characters. The songs are performed in schools, and many versions of the story have been created. The Little Mermaid continues to inspire new generations with her adventurous spirit and dream to be part of the human world! 🌍